"The funds that are raised are spread across Southern Illinois," she said. "A really wonderful program that this helps support that's actually happening in Southern Illinois is what's called Destinations."

That program will bring Girl Scouts from across the world to Southern Illinois for the upcoming eclipse on August 21. While it will bring hundreds of girls to the area, the Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois serves a tremendous amount of girls in 40 counties.

"Girl scouts of Southern Illinois services over 12,000 young girls in Southern Illinois, which I think is mind boggling," Hunzell said.

The services the organization provides for girls is something that inspired judge and drama coach Mary Beth Mezo to be involved in the event.

"They do tremendous things for the girls in our communities in Southern Illinois, and I'm proud to be a part of that organization," Mezo said.

Both women said the the fundraiser helps keep an fundamental ideal of the Girl Scouts alive: empowerment.

"What Girl Scouts is doing is empowering girls across the nation to show them they're capable of doing absolutely anything they can set they're minds to," Hunzell said.

GOREVILLE -- One Johnson County church plans to offer parking spaces to eclipse watchers. Leaders at First Pentecostal Church in Goreville say because they will be in the path of totality, the church's property is prime real estate for visitors.

GOREVILLE -- One Johnson County church plans to offer parking spaces to eclipse watchers. Leaders at First Pentecostal Church in Goreville say because they will be in the path of totality, the church's property is prime real estate for visitors.

GOREVILLE -- The Village of Goreville is expecting thousands of visitors. Experts at the University of Illinois say Goreville sits closest to the longest duration point, putting it in the dark for two minutes and 40 seconds.

GOREVILLE -- The Village of Goreville is expecting thousands of visitors. Experts at the University of Illinois say Goreville sits closest to the longest duration point, putting it in the dark for two minutes and 40 seconds.

WSIL -- Sten Odenwald has studied astronomy for decades. He's published books, appeared in documentaries and taught thousands of people around the world about space. But one thing he's never done is witness a total solar eclipse in person.

WSIL -- Sten Odenwald has studied astronomy for decades. He's published books, appeared in documentaries and taught thousands of people around the world about space. But one thing he's never done is witness a total solar eclipse in person.

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